"I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed." Job 23:9 NLT
Some things simply cannot be explained because
information is missing.
Complex sentences are composed of one independent
clause and at least one dependent clause. Like me being dependent on my parents
until I reached legal status, the dependent clause is dependent on the
independent clause. An independent clause has all the elements that allow it to
stand alone: subject, verb, and complete thought. Dependent clauses are missing
one or more of the necessary elements.
"When I was a young child" is an example of a
dependent clause. The subject and verb are present, but important information is
missing. If someone made that statement to me, I would expect more details. What
happened when you were a young child? Since I don't know what happened, the
clause is senseless and fails to communicate.
Job was lacking information as well. He had faithfully
served God but now experienced the loss of practically everything he had-and
with no explanation. God seemed far away. Job's questions received no answers.
God had given him a dependent clause only but had not finished the statement.
Many things in life don't make sense. A child killed
in an accident because a parent was driving drunk. Natural disasters that steal
the lives and property of innocent people. People living homeless because no one
will offer them a job. Cancer. Other incurable diseases. Family members not
caring for their elderly loved ones. Terrorist activity. A spouse lost to
depression or Alzheimer's.
Sin's curse is the simple answer, but it doesn't
always provide comfort. Knowing sin is behind the cancer that killed their small
child doesn't take away the grief the parents face. Believing God is love and is
sovereign is a better path to follow.
Many things in life are unexplainable. Some take
comfort in thinking God will answer all our questions when we get to heaven-but
He may not. Peace and abundant living comes from accepting that God is in
control and knows what He's doing, that He acts consistently out of love, and
that His plan is always best.
Don't let the unexplainable things of life throw you
for a loop. God has them under His control. He will give you the strength to
endure and overcome, even when you don't understand.
Prayer: Father, when life happens in ways we can't
explain or understand, help us believe that You are in control and that Your
plan is best.
Martin Wiles mandmwiles@gmail.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.